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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- W. A. LADD.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 364,421. Patented June '7, 1887;

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. A. LADD GAR COUPLING.

- No. 364,421.. PatentedJune 7, 1-887.

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WILLIAM ALEXANDER LADD, OF COLFAX, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

CAR-COUPLING.

ESPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,421, dated June 7, 1887.

Application filed February 9, 1887. Serial No. 226,995.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ALEXANDER LADD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colfax, in the county of Whitman, Washington Territory, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Automatic Gar Oouplings; and I .do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic car-couplings; and the object of my invention is to produce a coupling which may be readily set and otherwise manipulated without requiring the entrance of the attendant between the cars, and which shall be free from all liability to accidental uncoupling.

To the above purposes my invention consists in certain peculiar and novel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described and claimed. Y

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustrates the coupling applied to the contiguous ends of two cars. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of one ofthe couplings. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate certain parts of the coupling in detached condition.

In the said drawings, A designates the coupling or draw-head, which is tubular in form and preferably rectangular in crosssection. This coupling-head is placed horizontally be neatli the platform of the car, as shown in Fig. 1, and is suitably connected to the outer end of a draw-bar, so as to operate therewith in the usual or any preferred manner.

B designates a disk or wheel, which extends vertically through longitudinal slots in the upper and lower sides of the coupling-head A, and which turns backward automatically upon a horizontal axle, 7), extending transversely through the head, as shown. Upon the periphery of the disk B is formed ashoulder, b, the straight side or face of which lies toward the (No model.)

car-body. The opposite point of the periphi cry of the disk is formed with a recess, b for cured rigidly to one side of the disk B, and to the outer end of which is connected a chain, (2, leading upward to the platform or roof of the car. A chain, 0, also leads from the upper end of pawl O to the platform or roof of the car, or to an ordinary brake-lever, as shown. Two stops, 6 e, extend laterally from the disk B and engage alternately with the upper side of the head A, so as to limit the turning move ments of the disk.

The upper end of chain 0, leading from pawl O, is preferably connected to one end of a foot or treadle lever, F, which is pivoted upon the platform or roof near to the brakewheel, as shown.

Either an ordinary open coupling-link or other suitable form thereof may be used with the coupling devices above described; but the form shown in Fig. 3 is preferred for this purpose. This link G consists of a flat iron bar having eyes 9 at its ends and beveled oil on its under side from the middle toward each end.

The operation of the coupling is as follows: The disk is rotated backward toward the carbody by pulling upon the chain (1, the pawl 0 being also raised by the foot-lever F, acting through the chain a. One end of the link G is inserted into the mouth of the head A, and striking against the rear margin of the recess b throws the disk forward, so that the pawl 0 drops behind the shoulder -b and locks the coupling. In uncoupling, the pawl is raised and the disk turned backward, as before, thus permitting thelinkto be drawn out'of thccoupling. Thus no entrance of an attendant is required, and the cars may be quickly coupled and uncoupled, even while the train is in motion. The link should always remain in one orthe other of the couplings, and the entire device is simple, strong,and durable. It will be observed that the stops 6 6 may be dispensed with without departing from the spirit of my invention, as the inner part of the recess of the disk will of itself properly arrest the movement of the disk.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic car-brake, the combination, with the draw-head A, carrying a pawl, 0, of the disk B, having ashoulder, b, and recess b and an arm or lever, D, mounted upon said disk, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic car-brake, the combination, with a draw-head, A, carrying a dog or pawl, O, ofa disk, B, jonrnaled in said draw head and having a shoulder, b,for engaging the WILLIA M ALEXANDER LADD.

Witnesses:

J. O. TURNER, MILEsM. MILLE 

